5 Dental Habits You Should Adopt in Arcadia for the New Year!

As the current year speeds to a crescendo, you are busy making plans and setting goals for the upcoming 12 months. While some of the usual resolutions are to save more money and lose weight, a dentist in Arcadia says not to forget your mouth, teeth and gums. Read on to learn 5 simple habits you should adopt in the new year that will improve your oral health.

Habit #1 – Maintain Regular Visits

One of the best ways to prevent oral maladies from developing is to visit your dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings. By maintaining this routine, you’ll be able to maximize your dental insurance and save money by preventing costly and complex restorative procedures down the road.

Furthermore, these visits provide you with an opportunity to ask any questions you may have so you can take better steps to improve your oral health on your own.

Habit #2 – Brush Your Teeth Twice Daily

If you’ve been slacking on brushing your teeth consistently, then this is a great time to turn things around. Not only will brushing your teeth twice a day help to prevent the growth of bacteria, but it will also remove leftover food and drink residue that could contribute to unflattering teeth stains.

Habit #3 – Floss Your Teeth At Least Once a Day

While brushing your teeth is vital to your oral health, it can only address roughly 60% of the surface of your teeth. To get into the tight spaces that can’t be navigated with your toothbrush, you’ll need to floss. The flexible material allows you to remove the bacteria that hide between your teeth, which can greatly contribute to the development of gum disease.

Habit #4 – Limit Your Sugar Intake

The main nemeses of your oral health are bacteria, and their primary source for sustenance is sugar. Thus, eating an abundance of snack foods and drinking sodas and juices can contribute to the growth of more bacteria, which can compromise your oral health over time.

Habit #5 – Use Your Teeth Only for Eating

When you have trouble opening a package, do you find it more convenient to use your teeth as a prying tool? Do you have a habit of biting your fingernails? If so, then you run the risk of a dental emergency from your teeth cracking or breaking.

A simple resolution for the new year, then, can be to only use your teeth for chewing food.

Whether you make improvements in your diet or schedule an appointment for a dental cleaning, any steps you take to improve your oral health will pay big dividends in the long-run.

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth J. Canzoneri is a graduate of the Northwestern Dental School. He has since become an authority in the world of dentistry, touring the country to lecture. A member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. Canzoneri provide comprehensive care at his private practice. He can be reached for more information through his website.